Blood-Horse

British racing's governing body agreed to an emergency financial plan, which will see more than 200 of its 260 staff furloughed under the government's coronavirus job retention scheme.

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will serve the remainder of his suspension days and has forfeited more than $200,000 after his appeal of a costly judgment levied against him by authorities in Saudi Arabia was denied.

A March 25 ruling by a Jefferson County (Ky.) Circuit Court judge in favor of trainer Mike Maker is not expected to stand, according to an attorney for Zayat who said proper notifications have not been met.

Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Brian Kavanagh admits he is "very worried" about the viability of some racecourses as the governing authority continues to grapple with the multi-million-euro cost and ramifications of a sustained shutdown.

Santa Anita Park had been scheduled for a three-day racing week through March 29. One of its major races, the Santa Anita Derby (G1), was set for April 4.

Behind the scenes with Kentucky horse farms in cooperation with Visit Horse Country.

Kentucky State Veterinarian confirms that boarding farms are essential businesses and can operate as long as they adhere to best practices for containing COVID-19. So far, the impact has been minimal on Thoroughbred broodmare operations.

On March 28 at Santa Anita Park, stakes-winning stablemates Dogtag and Siberian Iris meet at 1 1/4 miles, heading the nine-horse, $100,00 Santa Ana Stakes (G3T).

Japan's first grade 1 turf event of the year, the March 29 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyuo Racecourse, has a sense of déjà vu about it as the top three from last autumn's Sprinters Stakes (G1) return for another go.

The current upheaval within 2-year-old Thoroughbred sales as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has not only left a lot of sellers in a quandary about where to market their prospective athletes, but also poses concerns for yearling sale consignors.

Vekoma, who rolled to a 3 1/2-length victory in last year's Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland, will make his 4-year-old debut Saturday, March 28 in the $75,000 Sir Shackleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Due to COVID-19, the Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP) announced March 27 that it has extended the dates for completion of required continuing education (CE) hours by one year for all accredited racing officials, stewards, and judges.

Dave Litfin analyzes the stakes action at Gulfstream Park on March 28.

Pursuing entertainment—and the almighty dollar—by wagering on horse racing certainly takes a back seat to the essential tasks we all must take right now to keep ourselves and our families safe and help our neighbors as much as possible.

Churchill Downs Inc. announced March 25 the temporary furlough of employees at certain properties that temporarily ceased operations following local or state government-ordered closure undertaken to combat the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alex G. Campbell Jr.'s Mean Mary, unraced since a runaway triumph in her stakes debut nine weeks ago, returns looking to cap a perfect winter in the $100,000 Orchid Stakes presented by Rood & Riddle (G3T) Saturday, March 28 at Gulfstream Park.

Starlight Racing's Sombeyay, who became a graded-stakes winner on a second surface last time out, can add to his growing turf résumé when he returns to Gulfstream Park March 28 for the $100,000 Appleton (G3).

Jockey Luis Saez rode five winners on the March 26 10-race card at Gulfstream Park while notching his fourth straight 100-win championship-meet season.

The last race on what became the last day of the Turfway Park 2020 winter/spring meet and the last at the existing facility put Wesley Ward alone at the top of the standings for his fourth leading trainer title at the Northern Kentucky track.

Since an initial positive was reported March 19, five additional individuals from 585 residing at the track in Elmont, N.Y., have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Two are recovering off the property, while four are in quarantine at Belmont.